Red Ink: Silva vs. Griffin

Forrest
Griffin’s career since his 2005 “Ultimate Fighter” run has been
repeatedly marked by bookmaker suspicion. In each of his bouts with
Tito
Ortiz, Mauricio
Rua, Quinton
Jackson, and Rashad
Evans, he was given little chance to win: bouts were
handicapped with the idea Griffin would be opposing a speeding
motor vehicle instead of a human being. (To the pleasure of those
holding tickets in his favor, he went 2-2.)

Against Anderson
Silva this Saturday, it should come as no surprise that he is
again eliciting more sympathy than support. Wagering sites will
give you $300 for every $100 risked if Griffin wins: it may not be
their personal belief, but the numbers reflect what they think is
needed to entice fans into backing him. The day Griffin is given a
solid chance to win against any ranked opponent is the day pigs
taste like chicken.

What It Means: For Griffin, the chance
to rise to new levels of stardom by beating a celebrated
pound-for-pound great; for Silva, an opportunity to reinvigorate
fan enthusiasm in his career.

Third-Party Investors:Vitor
Belfort, Dan
Henderson, and Wanderlei
Silva, all of whom are looking at a high-profile meeting with
Silva somewhere down the line; and the UFC, which has trumpeted
Silva’s skills to the clouds only to wind up with egg on its face.
Twice.

Who Wins: Silva. Griffin can be a
bully, but he’s unlikely to finish Silva on the mat -- and Silva
will have at least three chances to stay on his feet and light a
fire.